Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1887-02-17
WASHINGTON Letter
(FRoM OUR REGULAR CoRRESPoSDENT.)
WASHINGTON, FEBRUARY Is 1887.

W ASIIlNGTOS, I EBRJARI ID 1901.
The principal topic OF comment at
the Capital during the past few days
was the Presidents veto OF the Big
Pension bill. Many We're prepared for
the veto, however. 1t was the logical
sequence of Mr.. Cleveland's action with
regard to private pension bills. and he
could not have been consistent had he
adopted any other course.
1t Is too soon yet to say what Con-
gress will do about it. Its future &C
tion depends much upon the manner
in which the veto is received by the
country. The Illuminating confession
had rs we'll be made that our National
Legislators follow public opinion, in
stead Of leading it.
Some members of the House who
voted for this remarkable pension bill
say now that they suppose the Presl-
dent is right about it. Southern
members are unqualified in their ap.
proval of the veto, and declare that it
will secure to Mfr. Cleveland the vote of
southern delegates to the Democratic
convention and insure his nomination
Others who do not agree with the
President, acknowledge that the veto
message Is a very able State paper, and
that it will be almost impossible now
10 pass the bill over the veto. Re-
resrntative Warner, OF Ohio, was OPP
posed to the principle Of the Disability
Pension bill rs a whole, but he main
tains that the Mexican Pension bill
contained much Of the same principle,
and that the President would be more
consistent ard his position stronger had
he vetoed both.
Great interest centred IT. the pereon-
mel OF the counsel engaged in the glea!
telephone contest which ha4 heen ar
gu"I here for two weeks in the Su-
prem" Court The appellants We're re
presented by an Immense array Of coun
Sc from all parts Of he country. They
were all AJlr lawyers and commanded
close attention from th" crowded audi.
,,..,, H.,
Importance Of this case Hill be better
understood by the fact that the inter-
ests based on the Bill patents is now
worth over TlOO,UOO,00U.
The most ridiculous incident Of the
whole case wa' a grand closing attempt
of Mr. B MS counsel to excite the tear
full sympathy Of the stern Justices for
his client Mr. Bell, who has made an
enormous fortune out of his monopoly
who has crushed out all competitors.
and who has refused to accept the use
of valuable improvements because his
profits would be diminished thereby,
WAS exhibited as poor, prosecuted
wre tch, and compared 10 ralissy, Watt,
and other martyrs.
The Supreme Court is now taking its
Spring vacation and several months
may eIlpse before it will render its de-
clslOn.
The people Of Washington are wait
ing anxiousIy for Congress TO sanction
with a generous appropriation, their
scheme for spanning the Potomac to
Arlington with a magnificent, mile
long, memorial bridge to General Grant
1t is proposed that this monument to
the great chieftain shall be the ideal
bridge OF the world
1t is to get its monumental character
from two grand towers over the main
piers in the middle oil the river. Zach
of these towers is to be $50 feet high,
and constructed of granite, with suita-
bic inscriptions and categorical repre-
sensations 1t is intended that the
towers shall! furnish implocement for
l. u 1r!4l stones or other o,'erts Icli.